Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

Trying to figure out which engine package to put in the Topgun we purchased last month. I have 3 options but not sure what makes the boat most desirable. The boat has XR Sportmasters with ITS.
Here are the 3 options I have.

A. put in the engines it had (Now fresh) 500EFI's with Vortec supercharger and aluminum heads (720 HP).

B. A set of Eickert 825 EFI's

C. 2003 525 EFI's .

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

jcperf? :evilb:

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

Gino, call Jack at pier pressure marine, that used to be his personal boat. I'm sure he can tell you everything it did with the vortechs...reliability is what I looked for.

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

They said it ran 100 with the Vortecs. Any idea what they run with 525's?

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

I am sure you know alex, he has 575's in his

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

there is one in the classifieds around here...jeffb on oso, I think his is mid 80's with 500's so I assume 525's would be high 80's. extended covergirl or not?

honestly though if you're just going to flip it (no pun intended) do the fresh 500's and let it go, or if he wants fast, then use the vortechs.

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

Your probably right. I was just thinking the 525's for reliability.

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

Being in Fort Lauderdale and you know Randy, I would go with the 800hp EFI's he has and have him give you a no questions asked 1 year warranty on the motors. Been in buisness 24 years and plenty of money behind his company. He will also take your motors in on trade.

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

my 500's in my tiger push it to 73, and have been dead nuts reliable..start every time, and even though it's not the fastest, I went by smaller faster boats when it got rough, and by the big power ones that broke.

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

It's coming out so nice my partner may keep it for a while.It was completely rewired. All new electronics, gauges etc. The stereo is incredible. 6 10' subs 8 6.5" and 8 tweeters all diamond audio.

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

Why not just run the motors that came out of it? Wouldn't 525's make it too expensive? My friend has a TS with ITS Sportmasters and 525's, it runs 87-88 mph.

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

sounds nice, the paint was very cool...If he wants to keep it thats cool, but there comes a point if your going to move it, like a house have you overimproved?

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

Randys motors have huge torque. The boat only has XR's. I know how many XR's I went through with my old 500 EFI's I can't imagine Randys 800's.

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

If you want the boat desirable and reliable, stick with the 525,s.

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

I never heard the Vortecs are junk. I thought they were supposed to be pretty good. What problems should I look to have with the Vortecs? As for blowing XR drives, that's usually the issue with anything over 500 hp.

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

He has put alot of 750hp carbs on the XR its sport shorties and have had good luck. If you buy his motors have him warranty your drives? He also has some small blower motors at 800hp. 38' Like big power, ride in his yellow boat, twin 1150hp. He has some 750hp blower motors in a 38'TS Living Legend with XR's and no lower unit problem for over 1 year. He is local if you have a problem, he's not hard to find.

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

Are we talking about the same Randy? : :p I'd be suprised if he would do that.

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

We sea trailed that Top Gun and with 6 people, full tanks it ran 89.5mph. I'd put 525EFI's in it. You will have an 85mph reliable boat.

LS JR.

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

You are right. The Vortecs are the best. Pro-chargers are junk. As far as blowing drives,The Vortecs are supposed to have a more conservative power curve producing less stress on the drives than other type of super-chargers.

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

what are the thoughts on whipple?

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

Whipples are very good but harder on the drives.

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

same Randy, he would work with you to sell 2 new motors.

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

I would go with the 525's at first and put Whipple's on when you get to know the boat. Just build the XR's as strong as you can.

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

What's this thing look like?

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

I would go with the 525s unless you go with a non Bravo drive set up, Beefed up Bravos won't take over 700hp for very long.
Good Luck with the new Gun!

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

id take the existing motors and sell the whipples. for most cost effective reliable package in ur situation

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

I owned that boat before it was sold to the guy who rolled it. It ran FANTASTIC with the power that was in it (500 efi's and Vortech chargers). The best 38 T/S I have ever had. It ran upper 90's in fresh water, and had incredible power all the way up there. If the power is still good, there is no question, put it back in. There was never any drive issues. They held together fine. We never had any trouble with that boat. It runs great at hi speed, and runs great around the dock. The only thing was it does not get onto plane very well if it is loaded with people and fuel. If you lowered the prop pitch it would jump out of the water, but ran on the rev. limiters. Go to a bigger pitch to run upper 90's and the thing would cavitate coming out of the water. Once you get the feel of how to get on plane with the big blades it is great.
And you are right, the stereo is unreal! we had it installed here in Canada, it sounds great.
let me know if you need any more help or info on this project, I will help you if I can.
(905) 646-2252

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

good info Jack, welcome aboard.... gino, if you want to sell the Vortech setup let me know, got me thinking now:D..I have 500's in my Tiger

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

Gino, keeping it? 525's, flippin it, buyers choice.

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

825's is too much for those XR's...

My humble opinion is. I would get a reliable builder to build some 598's NA's you'll be around 700-750 hp and if your carefull you'll get 300 hours out of those XR's and great performance for the money you'll spend.

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

Put The Motors Back In It They Ran Great. I Was Out In The Boat Just Before Ronnie Flipped It . I Just Serviced The Boat And Then He Flipped . That Is One Beautiful Boat good Luck With It . Keep It Up Rite

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

Thank you for the info! The boat will be ready to run next week. I was told the Vortecs were overkill but if you say it ran great, That's what we will put back in. I may give you a call. Thank you again!

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

I wouldn't consider a Vortec,Whipple or Procharger "JUNK",Do you have any actual firsthand experience with the 3 or are you going on what you have read? Depending on impellor dia and pulley size a powerdyne,procharger or vortech supercharger can all make equal boost on the same displacement motor at the same rpm resulting in the same amount of drive breaking torque although the fact they are centrifugal they won't be as bad as a Whipple,Smitty

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

I never meant to say that the Whipple was junk..In fact,I have driven a 525 Whipple boat and thought it ran excellent(when it was warm out) I have seen first hand alot of motors ruined by the pro-chargers and they are not in the same league as Whipple or Vortec..The Vortec also makes less boost than a Whipple and has a more conserative power curve(so I am sold)So it should be easier on the drive. The Pro-charger has been described to me as JUNK by alot of knowlegeable people from the west coast to Fla.

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

If you're selling I would go with 525's because of max value on re-sale but if you're keeping it I would go naturally aspirated or centrifically blown to be easier on the drives.

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

What he said is true without a doubt !

LS

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

That's what we were thinking. Then it's a fast but still dependable package. I think it would make it most desirable. Thank you for all the input.

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

For resale......bone stock Merc power.

Re: Best engine package for 38 TopGun TS
 

Fred, If that's what you think, then I'm going that way!!! No one sells more boats then you!! :D